Hardware Test & Reliability Intern

Skydio; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydio is seeking Fall 2026 interns or Co-ops for its Hardware Test & Reliability Team, offering opportunities to develop test plans and infrastructure for autonomous flying machines. You will work cross-functionally to validate product robustness, analyze data, and perform failure analyses leading to design improvements.

Strong Python skills and interest in reliability are preferred. This internship in the United States targets undergrad, graduate, or PhD students, with compensation described

Qualifications

• Experience with Python or other programming languages for test automation.
• Strong problem solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to apply first principles to solve complex problems.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Own design and implementation of hardware and software systems for performance and reliability validation.
• Analyze data, compute statistics, document trends.
• Perform failure analysis to identify root causes and mitigation actions.
• Participate in design reviews and provide reliability inputs.

Skills

Python

Test automation

Data analysis

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Tools

Testing equipment

Job description

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios, and beyond.

About the role:

We are seeking Fall 2026 (September/October start) interns or Co-ops for our Hardware Test & Reliability Team!

Autonomous systems are a new breed of product that bring together electronics hardware and real-time AI software. The complexity of the systems combined with the fact they can move freely in the real world, makes the development and reliability testing strategy a key element of delivering a great product.

We are seeking a driven and cross-functional engineering intern to help the development and execution of test plans and testing infrastructure to enable rapid design iteration and robust product validation for state-of-the-art autonomous flying machines servicing a broad range of consumer and commercial use cases.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Own the design and implementation of hardware and software systems to execute comprehensive performance and reliability validation for products performing in a wide array of use cases
• Analyze data, calculate statistics, and carefully document results to explain trends and inform impactful design improvements
• Perform failure analysis to identify root cause and help develop process/design mitigations to resolve system issues, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality engineering teams
• Participate in design reviews and provide key design for reliability inputs to mitigate risks at every stage of the product development lifecycle

What makes you a good fit:

• A sense of how to test, how not to test, and how to find vulnerabilities in processes and design
• A systematic approach to problem solving, and a knack for rapidly identifying issues within electro-mechanical systems; strong desire to drive failure analyses to true root cause
• Enthusiastic tendencies toward diving in and applying first principles to engineer creative solutions to complex problems
• Experience with Python or other programming languages for test automation, data analysis and visualization
• Strong desire to learn and contribute across multiple domains within a dynamic and growing organization
• Excellent project management, written & verbal communication and cross-functional teamwork skills
• Familiarity with testing equipment and basic knowledge of stress, environmental, and accelerated life testing methods to assess product durability and reliability.

Compensation Range:

The hourly rate for this position is $47/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $58 for PhD students*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience.

*For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location.

At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.

For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/